moving to PA

southerndetail

southerndetail

New member
I'm taking the family and business north, I currently live in Charlotte NC one of the nations fastest growing citys and plan on moving to Reading PA. My concern is first selling the business in the times we are in, and second starting another one up. Right now my cup over flowith with business and I know it won't right away up there, but hope I can set the market in a place that doesn't really have a mobile detailing market. Any input will certainly be appreciated.
 
Sort of a risky time to be making that move IMO...have you done the demographics on the new area so that it can support a decent income for you?


If you have a real good business right now selling it won't be that bad as selling one that is failing...That's my take

I do think that making a major move like that in the given state of the US is risky!
 
any major reason for the move? detailing in PA in the fall and winter is pretty slow and you probably won't be able to be mobile either... PA as Beemer said is one of the hardest hit states in this economy ... I hope it's worth the move :inspector:
 
Poorboy said:
any major reason for the move? detailing in PA in the fall and winter is pretty slow and you probably won't be able to be mobile either... PA as Beemer said is one of the hardest hit states in this economy ... I hope it's worth the move :inspector:
Click to expand...

I can't agree with you more Steve and Beemer on the
high risk of this situation. I am familiar with the Reading area and thing are very quiet out that way now. Most of the population are blue collar workers that are loosing their jobs. Detailing is definitely a luxury item and there are few upper class areas in that part of the state. If it was right outside Philadelphia it would be a different story. Those rural areas like Reading and Scranton have never fullly recovered from the mining era. :yikes:
 
9D4E420 said:
Those rural areas like Reading and Scranton have never fullly recovered from the mining era. :yikes:
Click to expand...

That and the loss of garment mfg to Asia and the south in the 70's some of those towns are very depressed :( Easton comes to mind ...other than the Crayola factory, the rest of that town is pretty bad off ...Allentown (as Billy Joel sang) also shows the scars of the coal mines being gone :passout:
 
It's a risky move IMO with the way the economy is doing. It's been very slow here also. Good luck.
 
I have to agree with the others, this doesn't sound like a wise decision, especially if business is good for you at this time.
I don't think that moving to the No. East moving into the fall/winter looking to start up detailing services is good timing either.

Good luck on whatever you choose
"J"
 
Probably more to the story

It isn't real common to just pick up and move from North Carolina to Pennsylvania unless there is a very good reason.
Chances are Southern Detail has some good reasons and has given the move some thought.

Good Luck with the move. :bigups
 
Re: Probably more to the story

CharlesW said:
It isn't real common to just pick up and move from North Carolina to Pennsylvania unless there is a very good reason.
Chances are Southern Detail has some good reasons and has given the move some thought.

Good Luck with the move. :bigups
Click to expand...

I agree maybe he could have said something about that in his OP...would make it easier to understand or give advice
 
The reason is simply family, I am from MI and my wife is from PA. Long story short I moved to NC in 2001 she moved in 1998 we met by chance in 04 got married, had two kids, built a biz and now we miss our family. Our options were MI or PA the answer was clear. I am coming to realize that its not going to be as easy to get where I am now in PA, but I am determined and hopefull that I can sell my current biz and turn a nice profit. So I guess the question isn't should I do it but how should I go about getting the clients where there aren't going to be as many. There is always money to be had no matter where you are, its targeting it thats critical. I won't have a bunch of over head if any at start up, but I'm sure with the harsh winters I will eventually have to get a shop. Hope this sort of clears things up.
 
southerndetail said:
The reason is simply family, I am from MI and my wife is from PA. Long story short I moved to NC in 2001 she moved in 1998 we met by chance in 04 got married, had two kids, built a biz and now we miss our family. Our options were MI or PA the answer was clear. I am coming to realize that its not going to be as easy to get where I am now in PA, but I am determined and hopefull that I can sell my current biz and turn a nice profit. So I guess the question isn't should I do it but how should I go about getting the clients where there aren't going to be as many. There is always money to be had no matter where you are, its targeting it thats critical. I won't have a bunch of over head if any at start up, but I'm sure with the harsh winters I will eventually have to get a shop. Hope this sort of clears things up.
Click to expand...
It seems likely that you will need a source of income besides mobil detailing in the colder months in PA.
It will not only be somewhere between difficult and impossible to work outside, getting people to take care of their cars isn't easy in good weather let alone when the weather is crappy.
Since you will likely have a truck of some sort, maybe snow removal could tie in with your work schedule.
Put up and take down Christmas decorations and lights.
Maybe a mobil oil and filter change operation. If you could get some customers lined up in somewhat close proximity, you could do a bunch while they are at work. Even the quicky lubes usually have a waiting line around here.
You might even be able to upsell the remote oil drain system so it would be easier the next time.
FWIW, The suction systems don't do all that bad. They don't get all the old oil, but they do get most of it. Marinas have used them for years and I used them on a couple of boats. You might have to sell people on the idea, but having them check with a marina might sell the idea for you.
Every customer for any of the services I mentioned should also be a possible customer for all the others.
 
I suspected like Charles that there was family in the mix, and no better reason, especially with kids involved...I wish you luck in the move and selling of your assets on the way out!
 
CharlesW said:
It seems likely that you will need a source of income besides mobil detailing in the colder months in PA.
It will not only be somewhere between difficult and impossible to work outside, getting people to take care of their cars isn't easy in good weather let alone when the weather is crappy.
Since you will likely have a truck of some sort, maybe snow removal could tie in with your work schedule.
Put up and take down Christmas decorations and lights.
Maybe a mobil oil and filter change operation. If you could get some customers lined up in somewhat close proximity, you could do a bunch while they are at work. Even the quicky lubes usually have a waiting line around here.
You might even be able to upsell the remote oil drain system so it would be easier the next time.
FWIW, The suction systems don't do all that bad. They don't get all the old oil, but they do get most of it. Marinas have used them for years and I used them on a couple of boats. You might have to sell people on the idea, but having them check with a marina might sell the idea for you.
Every customer for any of the services I mentioned should also be a possible customer for all the others.
Click to expand...

I agree with Charles.. you will need an alternative method of making a living other than mobile detailing...Charles has given a good list of ideas :bigups
 
SD - Since I live about 15 minutes from Reading - Get ready for high taxes and cost of living. Just stay out of my territory. LOL - Only kidding - If you are going to target an area - Wyomissing is full of doctors and businesses. There are some very expensive townships that you could also target - Sinking Spring & Wilson - both attend the same school district I think which would be Wilson ASD. Both very close to Wyomissing. The schools are ok and get ready for teachers to go on strike when they do not get a 8% raise every year.

A couple years ago my wife and I were looking at buying a house in the 220 range and the $7000 a year in taxes was a turn off. We decided not to buy.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

BTW - Reading has been a pretty violent city over the past ten years in which they sometimes rank higher than Philly and Pittsburgh and other larger cities.
 
if you come closer to central pa, can i fill out an app to work with ya? lol good luck with the move and dont forget the heavy jackets
 
Don't do it. Haha. I know you probley do not have a choice though. Haha. Seriously though, I am moving to either Fort Lauderdale or possibly back to Charlotte in May. Originally form Charlotte, Providence High School/ Lived near the Ballantyne South Charlotte area. What you will find about mobile business in the north in my opinion, is that the climate and weather only allow you to detail 7-8 months out of the year. When it gets cold, people stay in, the weather is bad and the last thing people think about is keeping their car clean.
Here in Ohio it rains/or snows easily 4 times a week. So, people are less likely to spend 150 to have their car detailed on a regular basis. I feel up here car's are definately viewed as just transportation, and alot of car owners really do not care about their cars. Not everyone, but alot of people have this view!
When I was in Charlotte I can remember my dad feeling embarassed driving a dirty car. Nice weather, there is no excuse not to keep you car looking good is what he would say. Plus being a up and coming city, big banking industry, sports teams, cars are an extension of ones personality down there! Plus your business clientele I am sure is great, and with the economy in the shape it's in, it might take you twice as long in PA to get you where you are now!

I hate that you are leaving Charlotte, awesome place. And if I was moving there, I would definately consider talking to you about your business. Good luck to you and your future. Hope I shared some decent info for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top